The Karnataka High Court rapped actor Kamal Haasan for stoking language row in the state and questioned the actor for evidence of his statement: "Kannada was born from Tamil". Noting a simple apology would have solved the issue, the Court will hear the matter regarding the release of his upcoming film 'Thug Life' later today.
Hearing a plea moved by Haasan's production house Raaj Kamal Films International, High Court Judge M. Nagaprasannna observed, "No language can be born out of another - where is the material? And what has happened - disharmony. And what has people of Karnataka asked? (Only) an apology," Bar and Bench reported.
The judge observed the veteran actor has hurt the sentiments of people in Karnataka and said, "Jala, Nila, Bashe - three things are important to citizens. Division of this country was on linguistic lines," the publication reported.
"You apologise, then no problem. You want to earn some crores from Karnataka also," the bench noted. The judge, questioning whether the actor was a historian or linguist to make such a statement.
Criticising the actor for stoking the controversy, the bench noted there was difference between a person who creates circumstances and a person who is a victim of it. "You are making the situation go out of control. It is your film for which you are seeking protection," the bench noted.
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Advising the actor to reconsider his decision that he will not apologise, the bench said it would hear the matter regarding protection for the release of the film again at 2.30pm today.
The actor kicked up a row saying Kannada was born out of Tamil during the promotions of his upcoming film in Karnataka recently. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has announced that the Mani Ratnam directorial’s release will be banned in the state until the actor issues a public apology. The veteran actor earlier said he would not apologise for his statement and his comments were made out of love.
